Rocky Ford, Lamar win at La Junta Invitational

The U.S. government shutdown that shut down national parks and monuments forced the La Junta cross country invitational to be moved from Bent's Old Fort to Babcock Park.

The Rocky Ford High School cross country team felt right at home as it won the boys' race and took second in the girls' meet on Thursday.

Leading the Meloneers was Rhett Hinkle, who was the individual medalist in 17:23. Adan Munoz placed third in 17:56 and Mario George was seventh in 18:30.

The rest of the Rocky Ford runners included Erik Rocha, who was 11th in 19:08, Derek Lucero, who was 15th in 19:44, Louis Long, who was 19th in 20:32, Mladen Molesevic, who was 24th in 21:25, Joe Barela, who was 25th in 21:45, Kendal Martinez, who was 26th in 21:50, Carlo Ackerman, who was 29th in 23:02, Carlos Magdalena, who was 31st in 23:43 and Brian Preston, who was 33rd in 23:50.

La Junta finished in second place and was led by Gage Mayo, who took second in 17:49. Dakota Braswell finished 10th in 18:58.

The rest of the Tiger field were Chuck Arron, who was 12th in 19:10, Jacob King, who was 13th in 19:25, Lance Shoulderblade, who was 20th in 20:34, Vince Gearhart, who was 22nd in 21:01 and Manuel Villegas, who was 34th in 24:43.

Rocky Ford scored 22 points, followed by La Junta with 37, Rye was third with 39, Lamar was fourth with 59 and Pueblo County was fifth with 108. South Baca recorded no score.

In the girls' race, Lamar won the team championship with 18 points, followed by Rocky Ford with 24. La Junta, Rye and South Baca did not record team scores.

Emily Aragon led the Lady Meloneers as she was second in 22:58. Shaylin White was fourth in 23:39 and Kina Mora was fifth in 23:42.

Hannah Carey was 13th in 26:40, Marissa Cruz was 18th in 29:35 and Linnea Goebel was 19th in 32:54.

Monee Crosswhite was the Lady Tigers' top runner as she was ninth in 24:13. Erica Lopez was 15th in 27:09.

La Junta's next action is the Tri-Peaks League Meet in Florence on Oct. 11. The next competition for Rocky Ford is the Eric Wolff Invitational in Monte Vista, also on Oct. 11.

Rocky Ford sweeps junior high meets

Rocky Ford took both the boys' and girls' team titles in the La Junta Invitational junior high races.

Cody Danley led the Meloneers as he was the individual champion in 9:58. Gary DeLeon was third in 11:13, Chris Gonzales was fourth in 11:17 and Christian Gauna was 10th in 12:26.

Nick Barela was 11th in 12:37, Joaquin Munoz was 12th in 12:39, Dru Skek was 17th in 13:19, Cristian Garcia was 21st in 14:18 and Tristan Klemer was 26th in 14:52.

La Junta was fourth in the team standings and was led by Drayton Nichols, who was 15th in 13:04. Noah Sedillo was 22nd in 14:24, Erik Frentress was 28th in 15:15 and Theo Dutt was 29th in 17:39.

Rocky Ford scored 18 points, followed by Lamar with 28, Pleasant View with 40, La Junta with 94 and Liberty Point with 111.

In the girls' race, Rocky Ford was led by Jacklynn Snyder, who was second in 12:41. Emily Gauna was third in 13:10, Alajiah Camacho was fourth in 13:18, Sadie Marquez was fifth in 13:20 and Aileen Becerra was seventh in 13:58.

La Junta's runners included Taryn Haberman, who was 11th in 14:35 and Addison Aragon, who was 16th in 17:30.

Rocky Ford scored 14 points, followed by Pleasant View with 22 and Liberty Point with 68. La Junta, Lamar and South Baca did not record team scores.